"I will look for the flowers by the side of the road; I will laugh and love and be strong. I will try to lighten another’s load this day as I fare along". --MARY S. EDGAR CURRENTLY, I ACCEPTING CLIENTS WHO ARE EITHER FEMALE OR NONBINARY WITH A HISTORY OF TRAUMA THEY'D LIKE TO PROCESS AS PART OF THEIR TREATMENT. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE THE MAIN FOCUS OF THERAPY. Hello! Welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Jen and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, #004782) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I have over 18 years of experience providing both mental health and addictions therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. My Master’s degree is in Community Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy (2009), and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies (2006). I have worked in multiple settings, including shelters, community mental health centers, schools, and private practices. Since becoming a counselor, clients, such as yourself, have come to me for a lot of different things, including trauma (particularly in the areas of childhood abuse, domestic violence, religious trauma, and first responder and military trauma), family and social relationships, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. My therapeutic approach is mainly from family systems theory, which summed up says “we are not islands”. We are influenced by the world, or the “systems” around us starting from birth (and even before). These systems influence how we see the world and how we make decisions. When things happen to us (good or bad), our system shapes how it affects us and what our reaction turns out to be. I also “borrow” concepts from other theories, such as taking unhealthy beliefs about oneself and changing them into healthier patterns to reduce negative feelings, providing supports, a quick solutions-focused treatment (when it fits the goal), mindfulness and hands-on activities, and emotions regulation techniques. I am also EMDRIA-trained in EMDR, specialized for telehealth, and will provide EMDR treatment to clients found to be appropriate and motivated. I see counseling as a didactic relationship, or in other words, a journey we take together. You are the “expert” of you. Your individualized counseling experience should be focused on what you want and your goals. My job is to help “guide” or “lead” you in achieving those goals, while you continue to actively participate and do your best to reach your goals. I will support you as you do so. It’s like we build a house together. I am responsible for the frame and structure of the house; while you get to fill the rest of it in, make it look the way you want it to, and in the end, turn it into the home you want it to look like. Starting counseling can produce negative feelings, such as worry or fear; but part of the journey we go on is to work on processing those feelings together right from the start. I want to provide a safe environment for you that is warm, respectful, trauma-informed, and meets your individual needs. I look forward to meeting you should I get to do that. Thank you for taking the time to look at my page!

I am a mental health counselor licensed in New York State with primary experience working with adults. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, mood instability, addiction and both childhood and adult trauma. My counseling style is empathetic and sincere. I believe in treating anyone with respect, compassion and a lack of judgement. In my work I utilize a combination of a cognitive-behavioral, compassion focused and psychodynamic approach. I believe the client is the center of therapy and plan to work with you in addressing the concerns you present. Together we will work to identify challenges you experience, barriers you are facing and work to develop effective and healthy coping skills. I will be available through a variety of modalities throughout this journey together so that we can find a way to best meet your needs and goals. I am looking forward to working with you and seeing what we can help you accomplish together!

I am licensed in New York with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, anger management, motivation, & self esteem. I also have experience working with confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 8 years of professional work experience. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Hi! My name is Staici, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with sixteen years of clinical experience. My passion and drive to help people originated when I was a teenager and my mother received a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. I set out to essentially "save" my mom and others suffering from mental health issues. During my professional studies, I took every psychology and social service course available because I developed a fascination with how the mind works and how it effects human behavior. I received a Graduate degree from Fordham University in 2007. I also learned how to navigate the system and was able to connect my mom to the services she needed and, boy did it help! I got my best friend back and realized how effective mental health treatment really is. I stayed true to my calling and can honestly say I love what I do! I possess extensive knowledge and experience working with all different age groups, races, and ethnicities in various treatment settings such as schools, outpatient clinics, hospitals and homes. I am certified and trained in Motivational Interviewing, CBT, trauma- informed care. client -centered treatment and mediation. What can I offer you? I will provide you with a safe, genuine, nonjudgmental space. You will receive consistent support and empowerment and we will move at a pace that is most comfortable for you. I will leave you with one of my favorite poems and hope to hear from you! Autobiography in Five Short Chapters I. I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. II. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I still don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place. It isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. III. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there, I still fall in. It's habit. It's my fault. I know where I am. I get out immediately. IV. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. V. I walk down a different street.

I have earned my B.S. in Human Services/Counseling. I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, with my master’s degree in clinical counseling with a major in Addiction Counseling, May 2004. In September 2006 I was grandfather in as a New York State, License Mental Health Counselor. On 3/31/16, I was grandfather in as a Master Addiction Counselor from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Counselor. I have 20 years’ experience of substances use therapy, 15 years’ experience with individuals with dual diagnosis, 5 years’ experience working in transitional housing with individuals with chronic medical conditions. I am a Credential Alcoholism Substance Abuse Counselor. I attended Narco Freedom Institute for my 60-hour Compulsive Gambling Training, and I received my Specialty in Gambling Designation. I have obtained not only a theoretical base to go along with my practical knowledge of human behavior, but also, I have developed the skills necessary to help others to empower themselves. My approach to therapy is motivational interviewing along with cognitive behavioral therapy, most importantly I use a client-centered approach to meet the client where they are. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

Hello! My name is Stephanie Southard and I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience providing therapy to individuals, groups, and families/couples. I am warm and inviting and provide you with a judgment-free space to share your most bothersome thoughts and issues. Your therapy with me will always be YOU-centered as I will always meet you where you are at and develop goals based on what you want to accomplish during our time together. I am relatable, engaging, and accepting of the wonderful person you are and want to become. I utilize practices that are based on evidence, with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) being my preferred practice because you cannot change your behaviors without first managing your thoughts and attitudes. I also like to include exercises and role playing as part of your treatment. I was born, raised, and am currently residing on Long Island, New York. I received my MA in Social Work from Adelphi University in 1999 and have been working as a social worker ever since. I am a big homebody and I enjoy reading, writing, crafting, and hanging out in the comfort of my home with my family and pets. My passion is helping people figure out how they can live more meaningful, peaceful, and fulfilling lives with minimal and manageable stress and conflict. I look forward to guiding and supporting you on your journey through this process. SPECIALTIES: -- depression, the blues, post-partum -- anxiety and irrational thinking -- addiction and adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) -- PTSD and personal experiences of traumatic events -- OCD and habit forming and breaking -- communication skills, empathy, relating, and acceptance -- parenting and mom struggles, family dynamics -- grief and loss -- stress and anger management/coping skills -- childhood trauma, abuse, abandonment, attachment I am also familiar with domestic violence, child protective services, legal/courts, community resources, and I have an extensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and medications. If I am unfamiliar with a term, condition, or problem, I will become familiar with it! SERVICES OFFERED: live chat, phone, video, and text LICENSE: NY State LCSW: # 73-072535 (expires 5/31/23) EXPERIENCE: 24 years

I am a licensed Mental Health Professional with 21 years of work experience. Additionally, my educational background includes a PhD in Human Service/Counseling studies. My experience comprises of helping clients with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger management, and to motivate, & improve self-esteem. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New York with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 5 years of professional work experience as a mental health therapist, and over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. I have extensive experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

As a licensed clinical social worker , I specialize in supporting individuals navigating life's complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on helping clients work through depression, anxiety, stress, family dynamics, and self-esteem challenges. I understand that personal growth often requires compassionate guidance during significant life transitions. My therapeutic practice is rooted in creating a supportive, understanding environment where clients can explore their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for emotional wellness. I draw from evidence-based techniques to help individuals build resilience, enhance self-understanding, and cultivate healthier coping mechanisms. With a decade of clinical experience, I am committed to walking alongside my clients as they discover their inner strengths and work towards positive personal transformation. My goal is to provide a warm, non-judgmental space where you can feel empowered to address your unique emotional needs and create sustainable pathways to healing.

As a licensed therapist in New York, I bring over two decades of dedicated experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and self-esteem issues with compassionate, evidence-based approaches. I specialize in addressing a wide range of personal struggles, including social anxiety, communication difficulties, body image concerns, and healing from past experiences of abuse. My therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in fostering self-love, understanding personal purpose, and supporting emotional resilience. My work is guided by a commitment to creating a safe, affirming space where individuals can explore their inner world, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop healthier patterns of thinking and relating. I believe in empowering clients to reconnect with their inherent strengths and move towards meaningful personal growth. Through collaborative and personalized therapy, I aim to support you in developing greater self-understanding, emotional regulation, and a more compassionate relationship with yourself.